AfriGeneas Free Persons of Color Forum

Following is some documentation on the MORDECAI/MORDICA family of Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY between 1820 and 1898. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who may be connected.

>Harry MORDECAI (my gr.gr.gr.grandfather) married Rachel LEWIS in Frankfort, KY on April 24, 1842. Prior to that, they had been neighbors

In 1820, Harry MORDECAI was listed as head of household of eight FPC's: 3 free males under age 10, 3 free males under age 45; 1 free female under age 25, 1 free female under age 45

In 1830, Harry MORDECAI was listed on the census as a free person of color (FPC), aged 36-55, with a household of 12, eight family members, FPC's ;and 4 slaves. The Slaves were: Males, 1 over 10 and less than 24, 1 over 24 and less than 36, 1 over 36 and less than 55.;Female, 1 over 10 and under 24. FPC's were: Males, 2 under age 10, 1 over 10 and under 25, ;1 over 36 and under 55. Females, 2 under age 10, 1 over 10 and under 24, 1 over 36 and under 55

In 1830, Rachel Lewis was listed as a free person of color, aged 24-36, living alone

In 1842, the KY census of free Blacks, per the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, lists the MORDECAI and LEWIS families as

LEWIS, Winny, 50, washerwoman, etc., $1,000, known personally to the board, character good, Winny Lewis' family all of good character. Anderson, 24, plasterer. Levisa, 20, washer seamstress. Henry, 20, barber, H.I. Todd complains of Henry Lewis being a bad boy; to be admonished by Mr. Stevenson and a month allowed him to demonstrate his reformation from idleness, etc. Horace, 18, employed by Stevenson. Dedema, 5

Eugenia MORDECAI, (my gr.gr.grandmother) was Harry's daughter from a previous marriage. She married Edward YEIZER (my gr.gr.grandfather) on July 16, 1850 in Frankfort, KY. The rootsweb transcription of their marriage certificate reads, "YEISEN, Edward (colored), MORDICA, Eugena (colored), July 16, 1850. Prior to that, I haven't found Edward, but Eugenia was living at home with Harry, Rachel, brothers and sisters, and bonded servants.

In 1850, Harry MORDECAI, plasterer, is listed as age 66, born in VA, Rachel as 50, born in VA. Living with them are Charles, 23, plasterer, born KY; Savilia, 20, born KY; Eugenia, 18, born KY, Kitty, 17born KY; and Ealam MALLER(S/U?), 13, born in MS. All are classified as Mullatto.

Both Harry and Rachel MORDECAI had wills entered in 1853. Harry's was dated January 2, 1853 and is on page 240 of the Franklin County Will Index, Book 2, 1824-1854. Rachel's is entered on Page 244, Franklin County Will Index, Book 2, 1824-1854

In 1860, Rachel MORDECAI is listed in the Frankline County, KY, census, page 257, Frankfort District 1, Federal Population Schedule, ID#KY11077911

January 19, 1898, the Adair County NEWS, Columbia, KY, entry reads, "CHAS. JOHNSON, a negro, stabbed to death HARRY MORDECAI, another negro at Frankfort